Security and driver identification system

ABSTRACT

A security and driver identification system for use within the commercial transportation industry and which can be applied to private vehicles. The central component of the system is a Lantran terminal  1  located within the vehicle. The Lantran  1  is a mulch capable wireless communication terminal located aboard the vehicle, with primary capability being to positively identify driver and vehicle to facilitate transceiver wireless communications between vehicle and authorized personnel. The Lantran  1  is preprogrammed with wireless network number, and is accessible and security procedure implemented by phone communication from driver. 
     Components of Lantran include, but are not limited to (1) Lantran  1  communications terminal, (2) biometric cell phone  2 , (3) Lanlaw  21 , (4) fingerprint reader  10 , (5) text screen  5 , (7) keyboard  6 , (8) speaker  27 , (9) Lanlaw  21  transceiver (law authority mobile communications terminal) and (10) Lanpid secured bracelet  14.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 61/208,596, filed Feb. 25, 2009, forSECURITY AND DRIVER/VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR COMMERCIAL ANDPRIVATE VEHICLES, by James H. McNay, included by reference herein andfor which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to security programs atstrategic operational areas covering the commercial transportationindustry, implementing innovative programmed technology that willpositively identify facility personnel, drivers and vehicles, commercialand private, to enhance authorized facility operations and significantlyimpact and eliminate theft of vehicles, commercial vehicles, commercialtrailers and commodity aboard parked commercial cargo containers, byproviding instantaneous notification and classification of specificunauthorized tampering of vehicle to authorized operational personnel,facility security, and other authorized personnel, police, etc. Programsinitiated at truck Lantran involving biometric technology applicationinitiating driver/truck identification will implement primary andsecondary security programs. Primary program=Standard process. Secondaryprogram=security alert.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cargo theft in the United States has reached gigantic proportions. TheFBI conservatively estimates annual losses at between $15.0 billion and$30 billion annually, while the Volpe Report from the Department ofTransportation estimates indirect costs of those losses at between $20billion and $60 billion annually. A disturbing number of those thefts(40% by some estimates) involve driver and warehouse personnelcomplicity. Additionally, according to the FBI, private vehicle theftsin the year 1007 amounted to $7.4 billion in losses.

The safe and secure transport of hazardous materials (hazmat) andhigh-value cargo in the United States is a critical concern,particularly in light of the terrorist attacks on Sep. 11, 2001. Over800,000 hazardous material loads are hauled per day by commercial motorvehicles (CMVs); therefore, these vehicles are potential targets forhijacking and use as mobile weapons of mass destruction (WMD).Furthermore, on a daily basis, over 50,000 loads of high-valuecommodities (electronics, apparel, pharmaceuticals, etc.) are hauled bylarge trucks, which are attractive targets for increasingly bold cargothieves. Theft of high-value cargo incurs costs of millions of dollarsper year in losses to trucking companies and their insurance carriers.Reducing the vulnerability of these vehicles to acts of theft anddomestic terrorism is vital. In addition, the ability to respond rapidlyto hazmat incidents is crucial following an accident or attack.

The threat of a theft or hijacking of a large truck transporting hazmatand using it as a weapon of mass destruction is a major concern. Inaddition, mobile communications services may not be typically deployedin these locations due to unique geography and other factors. As aresult, a major goal of this invention is to improve communications inthe event of an emergency, while enhancing trucking operations en routeand for each phase of movement—pick up, delivery, receipt, and storage.

Trailer theft by deception, conspiracy is not uncommon. Fraudulentauthorization papers presented to facility security by driver at openfacilities will allow driver to enter and depart facility with theft orterrorist activity intended.

Many facilities are closed, with entrance unprotected and an absence offacility personnel, where loaded commercial trailers are parked, leftvulnerable to theft. Unfortunately, conspiracy between facilitypersonnel and security personnel and drivers can occur, and theft takesplace. Some security programs at facilities are ineffective, becauseguards cannot be everywhere at all times, and thieves seizeopportunities to steal commodity aboard cargo trailers and/or vehicles.

Other measures of security presently employed include cameras and sealsor locks on trailer doors, but cameras are easily rendered inoperable,and seals and locks can be cut with bolt cutters or a hacksaw, thusenabling theft activity.

Satellite communication is effectively employed in specific areas ofcommercial trucking operations, such as over-the-road movement/parking,and is primarily a ‘tracking’ system that ‘observes’ from outer space,to track trailers/trucks deploying satellite receptor technology atvehicles, trucks/trailers. However, satellite tracking, while useful insome areas of the industry, is susceptible to atmospheric and technical,location interference. It also does not identify and verify/detect theauthorization/unauthorization of drivers departing/entering vehicles tooperate vehicles, to initiate normal, abnormal operations, nor does itidentify/associate the trailer with commodity within the trailer, nordoes it address the verification of continuous entering/departure fromparked trailers at facilities being loaded/unloaded by unidentifiedpersonnel, allowing deception and theft activity. Unauthorized removal,addition of commodity aboard parked trailers is common theft activity atfacilities. Authorized personnel at facilities involved withloading/unloading commodity at parked trailers, will be assigned LanpidBracelet 14 by facility authority to implement security programscovering personnel identification at loading/unloading operations attrailers. Each personnel entry/departure at trailer parked at dock doordeploying the Landit Line 19 vehicle wheel weight detection c/s pad 17is detected by wireless connection between the weight detect sensortransceiver 18 and the Lanpid bracelet 14, wireless transceiver 15 andcommunicated/logged at the facility authority Lanbase computer.

Multiple satellite tracking of trucks and trailers,loading/unloading/security parking, damage control, positive driveridentification/vehicle identification of every driver/truck in operationat the facility is absent in satellite programming. In addition, theeffectiveness of the satellite tracking system is dependent on anattachment at the trailer to accommodate satellite tracking signal, andany attachment to a trailer is susceptible to vandalism and/or damageresulting in a malfunction of the system, thus allowing the opportunityfor theft activity.

While some commercial transportation facilities' receiving and shippingdepartments do have computerized tracking systems in place, they aresimply that—tracking systems for tractors, containers/trailers withinthat particular facility, not personnel. None are integrated/programmedto instantly detect, analyze, and communicate certain violations attractor or trailers to authorized drivers, facility security andadditional authority such as police, etc.

Systems such as Lojack can be helpful in locating a vehicle AFTER it hasbeen stolen, but by then damage or vandalism may have occurred to thevehicle and the commodity or contents will have been compromised. It cantake thieves less than an hour to steal a loaded trailer, unload it andabandon it.

Vehicle alarm systems at vehicles/automobiles are ineffective. They canbe activated by high winds, someone leaning against the vehicle, or evena malfunction. Deception/conspiracy allowing thief personnel to entervehicle and insert copied/stolen key at ignition and steal vehicleOccurs.

It is an object of this invention to provide a security system thatdisallows unauthorized vehicle engine ignition, to instantly alertauthorized personnel when unauthorized detected violation at vehicleinitiates, and allows authorized driver effective reaction to contactauthority, police of violation.

It is another object of this invention to have a security system inplace that instantaneously detects and defines unauthorized activitysuch as intrusion into a vehicle, trailer or container, removal ofcommodity from vehicle, trailer or container, or movement of vehicle,trailer or container.

It is another object of this invention to alert authorized drivers,facility security and other authorities instantaneously when tamperingof a vehicle occurs.

It is another object of this invention to instantly activate vehicleengine cancellation assembly 9 (VEIC) when authorized driver departsvehicle with cell phone. Engine ignition can only be accomplished whenauthorized driver returns to vehicle and applies cell phone at strategicdeployed technology within vehicle.

It is another object of the invention to positively recognize and detectspecific violations at parked vehicle, and to communicate specificviolation to authorized vehicle owner or operator, via programmedLantran 1 to authorized driver/operator cell phone.

It is another object of the invention to positively identify authorizeddriver and the assigned vehicle that the driver is authorized tooperate, to deter deception, conspiracy theft or terrorist activity.

Strategic points of the invention application will be at commercialfacilities, truck stops, parking lots, warehouses, truck companyfacilities, and strategic areas to deter theft and terrorist activity,such as at border crossings, ports of entry, airport areas, governmentand military facilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a securityand driver/truck identification system for deployment within thecommercial trucking transportation industry, also applicable at privateautomobile vehicles.

The central component of the system is the Lantran 1 wirelesscommunications terminal located within the truck. The Lantran 1 is amultiple wireless network communications terminal with primarycapability to facilitate positive communications between identifiedtruck driver and authorized designated network participants to provideverification of driver/truck/trailer identification. The Lantran 1 is aprogrammable terminal programmed with wireless network number, and isaccessible only by authorized driver to initiate positive securitydriver/truck identification via driver assigned biometric cell phone 2and biometric cell phone receptor 3 (BCR) integrated with the mobileLantran 1 communications terminal.

Components of this invention include, but are not limited to (1) Lantran1 communications terminal, (2) biometric cell phone 2, (3) Lanlaw 21 (5)fingerprint reader 10, (6) text screen 5, (7) keyboard 6, (8) speaker27, (9) Lanlaw 21 transceiver (law authority mobile communicationsterminal) and (10) Lanpid secured bracelet 14.

In the case of commercial transportation vehicles related toentry/departure at closed or open facilities of various classifications,maximum security involving protected wireless transmission betweenvehicle and facility authority Lanbase 13 computer wireless network ispriority. Arriving vehicle enters facility wireless transmissionperimeter and the mobile Lantran 1 wireless communications terminal isdetected/read by facility 13 Lanbase wireless computer network. Arrivingvehicle is classified positive identified at facility security.

Text and voice communications between vehicle driver and facilityauthority are initiated. Facility authority is aware of presence oftruck within wireless perimeter of facility to initiate security andoperations efficiency.

When authorized truck arrives at consignee facility entrance gate, thefacility security program will deploy. The facility Gate Radio FrequencyDetector (R/D) 20 wireless transceiver 15, strategically located atentrance gate Radio Frequency Detector (R/D) 20 will initiatecommunications with vehicle Lantran 1, and the preprogrammed Lantran 1information will be communicated to and confirmed at the authorityfacility Lanbase 13 wireless computer network.

Facility security program instructions will be relayed to vehicle drivervia text message displayed at the Lantran communications text videoscreen 5, or voice communications at the Lantran speaker 27, or atauthorized driver biometric cell phone 2.

The Lantran 1 preprogrammed information communicated to facility Lanbasenetwork will detail factual information pertinent to specifiedoperations participants integrated involvement with arriving shipmentoperations from shipper point of loading implementing driver, truck,truck company, trailer identification, shipper identification, andcommodity aboard incoming freight to point of consigned facility.

To gain authorized access into facility, driver will initiate thedriver/vehicle security identification process at the truck Lantran 1.

The verification process of driver/vehicle identification initiated bydriver at Lantran 1, implementing driver biometric cell phone 2, willauthorize scheduled vehicle entry to facility.

Authorized driver follows security identification process at assignedvehicle Lantran 1 activating positive wireless network communications,and positively identifying driver and vehicle.

Authorized driver enters assigned vehicle, with biometric cell phone 2,inserts key at ignition 7, applies fingerprint at driver biometric cellphone 2, dials assigned code number, speaks name and activates biocellphone network communications. Driver then inserts activated biocell atthe Lantran biometric cell phone receptor 3, and initiates positivecommunications with Lantran 1 communications network and essentialcommunication with the vehicle engine ignition control modem 8,integrated into the electronic engine control assembly 9, deactivatingthe engine ignition cancellation. Driver then turns key at vehicleignition 7 and activates vehicle engine. Positive driver/vehicleidentification transmitted to authority with this driver securityprocess. When authorized driver departs assigned parked vehicle, theywill extract driver biometric cell phone 2 from the biocell receptor 3,automatically activating the vehicle engine ignition cancellation modem24, disallowing unauthorized engine activation at authorized driverdeparture/absence from authorized driver assigned vehicle.

Authorized driver departs vehicle with biometric cell phone 2. Ifunauthorized entry to vehicle, in attempt to start vehicle engine isinitiated, the authorized driver will be alerted informed of thisunauthorized activity at the parked vehicle at their driver biometriccell phone 2.

The biometric fingerprint reader 4 at the Lantran 1, is programmed torecognize authorized driver biometric identification, allowingauthorized driver to positively identify driver and vehicle and operateassigned vehicle and initiate network communications at Lantran 1.

The Lanlaw 21 wireless communications mobile terminal is a wirelessnetwork transceiver 15 communications terminal deploying the biometriccell phone receptor 23, to accommodate assigned programmed biometriccell cell phone 22.

Primary communication functions of the mobile Lanlaw 21 wirelesscommunications terminal deploying the cell phone receptor is tointegrate communications with police network, and wireless connectionaccommodation into facility Lanbase 13 computer network implementingsecurity programs associated with truck trafficking at variouscommercial facilities and strategic transportation areas.

Lanlaw 21 wireless communications terminal allows police authority tocommunicate with vehicle programmed Lantran 1 terminal, and to gainaccess to preprogrammed information at the truck Lantran 1 terminal,enabling authority to positively identify driver, truck, trailer andcommodity (hazmat etc.) and truck company and other preprogrammedinformation at Lantran 1 terminal. Programmed wireless communications atthe Lanlaw 21 terminal support police efficiency of operations atvarious strategic areas to detect and prevent unauthorized activity.

An additional Lanlaw 21 function is positive communication connectionwith facility Lanbase 13 computer network, enabling access to facilitynetwork in order to detect, address unauthorized activity.

Example: Any unauthorized movement of, or activity at a trailer at aparking space accommodating the Landit confirmation security pad 17(previously patented) will be instantly detected and communicated to thefacility Lanbase 13 authority computer network, and the recipients atthe Lantrac computer network, instantly communicate with police Lanlaw21 mobile, informing Lanlaw 21 officer at text screen 5 of precisefacility location of violation, and specific information to identifyspecific location within facility of violated trailer.

To activate facility security programs, driver/vehicle identificationprocedures are implemented by authorized driver at truck Lantran 1terminal. Example: The Lantran 1 equipped truck scheduled to deliverfreight to consignee facility is positioned with truck engine activated,at an area close to assigned facility within the Lanbase 13 wirelesscomputer wireless perimeter. If the facility Lanbase 13 wirelesstransceiver network was deployed, the truck Lantran 1 would have beenread by the Lanbase 13 facility security network when truck entered thewireless perimeter, and if truck is positively identified by Lanbase 13reading preprogrammed truck Lantran 1, directions to the facilityentrance and designated facility security phone number would bedisplayed at Lantran 1 text screen 5 for driver convenience.

Driver will follow facility security instructions displayed at Lantran 1text screen 5 and proceed to specific facility entrance. Driver willapproach consignee facility entrance preparing to initiate positivedriver/truck security identification process at truck Lantran 1. Driverarrives at consignee's facility designated entrance, and the truckLantran 1 is read by the strategically placed gate Radio FrequencyDetector (R/D) 20 wireless transceiver, alerting facility security oftruck arrival at gate. All trucks entering/exiting at facility deployingGate Radio Frequency Detector (R/D) 20 and Lanbase 13 security networkrequire driver to initiate driver/truck security identification processat truck Lantran 1 to be authorized to enter/exit facility.

At facility entrance prior to entry, truck driver extracts driverbiometric cell phone 2 from the Lantran 1 biocell receptor 3, andapplies primary fingerprint at biocell, dials driver assigned four (orany number) digit code number at biocell phone, speaks name, and theninserts biocell back at the programmed Lantran 1 biocell receptor 3,activating positive wireless communications from truck preprogrammedLantran 1 to facility authority Lanbase 13 computer network.Communication positively identifies driver, truck, truck company,shipper, commodity aboard assigned trailer, and trailer identification.Positive result of driver security process at truck Lantran 1 allowsauthorized entry at facility. Text and voice communications betweenfacility authority and truck driver are implemented and sustained. Atclosed gated facilities deploying the Gate Radio Frequency Detector(R/D) 20 transceiver, when positive communications is establishedbetween the truck Lantran and the facility Gate Radio Frequency Detector(R/D) 20, and facility Lanbase computer network, the Gate RadioFrequency Detector (R/D) 20 will activate the gate locking mechanism,and open gate, allowing authorized entry to facility. Negative driveridentification security process at truck Lantran 1 will alert facilitysecurity to implement security programs to allow positive effectiveinvestigation. Truck will be denied entry at facility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained byreference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunctionwith the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of elements contained in the presentinvention, including Lantran telecommunications mobile terminal 1,Biometric cell phone 2, Biometric cell phone receptor 3, fingerprintreader 4, text screen 5, speaker 27, keyboard 6.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the fingerprint sensor 4 showing thefingerprint access window 4 and fingerprint reader 10.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the Lanlaw mobile wirelesscommunications terminal 21.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the Radio Frequency Detector (Gate R/D)20 interacting with the Lanbase 13 facility computer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the Lanpid personnel identificationbracelet 14.

FIG. 6 is a panel view of the Lantran 1 and its elements on a vehicledashboard.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operatingrequirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in theart, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen forpurposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications whichdo not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected byLetters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

1. A security and driver identification system for commercial andprivate vehicles for providing security and verification of authorizeddriver to prevent theft, comprising: means for communication betweenauthorized driver and facility personnel; means for positiveidentification of authorized driver; means for positive identificationof assigned vehicle to authorized driver; means for communication withdriver; means to enable law enforcement officials to immediately respondto tampering of a vehicle; means for backup fingerprint identificationin case of lost or damaged biocell phone; means for text/audiocommunications with facility traffic control; means for initiating voicecommunication between facility control and driver; means for cancelingvehicle ignition in the event of unauthorized activity at vehicle; meansfor authorizing driver, upon verification of identity, to enterfacility; and means for positively identifying authorized personnelwithin facility.
 2. The security and driver identification system forcommercial and private vehicles in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidmeans for communication between authorized driver and facility personnelcomprises a mobile communications terminal, Lantran
 1. 3. The securityand driver identification system for commercial and private vehicles inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for positive identificationof authorized driver comprises a fingerprint template.
 4. The securityand driver identification system for commercial and private vehicles inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for communication withdriver comprises a base facility traffic control terminal, Lanbase 13.5. The security and driver identification system for commercial andprivate vehicles in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means forenabling law enforcement officials to immediately respond to tamperingof a vehicle comprises a Lanlaw 21 mobile terminal.
 6. The security anddriver identification system for commercial and private vehicles inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said means for backup fingerprintidentification system in case of damaged or lost biocell phone comprisesa fingerprint template 4 located on keyboard.
 7. The security and driveridentification system for commercial and private vehicles in accordancewith claim 1, wherein said means for charging biocell phone comprises abiocell receptor/charger
 26. 9. The security and driver identificationsystem for commercial and private vehicles in accordance with claim 1,wherein said means for visual/text communications with facility trafficcontrol base comprises a screen
 5. 10. The security and driveridentification system for commercial and private vehicles in accordancewith claim 1, wherein said means for initiating voice communicationbetween facility control and driver comprises a speaker
 27. 11. Thesecurity and driver identification system for commercial and privatevehicles in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for cancelingvehicle ignition in the event of unauthorized activity comprises avehicle ignition cancellation system 8 connected to electronic enginecontrol assembly
 9. 12. The security and driver identification systemfor commercial and private vehicles in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid means for authorizing driver, upon verification of identity, toenter facility, comprises a gate radio frequency detector (R/D)
 20. 13.The security and driver identification system for commercial and privatevehicles in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for positivelyidentifying authorized personnel within facility comprises aworn-on-wrist wireless secured bracelet, Lanpid (14).
 14. The securityand driver identification system for commercial and private vehicles forproviding security of authorized driver to prevent theft, comprising: amobile communications terminal, Lantran 1, for communication betweenauthorized driver and facility personnel; a biometric cell phone 2 withfingerprint reader 10 for positively identifying authorized driver; ascreen 5, for visual communications with facility traffic control; abase facility traffic control Lanbase 13, for communication withauthorized driver; a Lanlaw mobile communications terminal 21 to enablelaw enforcement officials in Lanlaw equipped mobiles to detect andrespond to unauthorized activity at strategic locations at facility; akeyboard 5, for text communication via Lantran 1 with facility trafficcontrol. a biocell phone receptor 3, for purpose of initiating driversecurity identification process to activate network communications viaLantran
 1. a fingerprint reader 10 on keyboard for backup fingerprintidentification of driver in case of damaged or lost cell phone tosustain communication with facility; a gate R/D 20, for authorizingdriver, upon verification of identity, to enter facility; and a wirelesssecured bracelet Lanpid 14, for purpose of positively identifyingauthorized personnel within facility.